Here Are the Best Times and Places To View North Dakota’s Fall Foliage in 2025

Autumn in the Dakotas is truly awe-inspiring (or should I say, “awe-tumn”?… yep, I’ll see myself out). There’s no better way to celebrate fall in North Dakota than with a classic day—or a dozen—of leaf-peeping. Not sure when to go? No worries—our friends at Great Smoky Mountains have a reliable method for predicting exactly when the fall colors in North Dakota (and beyond) will appear, giving us a heads-up on the best time to visit. So, when do leaves change color in North Dakota? Let’s find out.

As in years past, the folks at Smoky Mountains have created an interactive map showing when fall colors will show up across the US. Their refined data model considers factors like historical and forecasted temperature and precipitation, the types of trees prominent in each region, historical trends, and user data. By playing with the slider, you can explore predictions for each of the coming weeks. It’s definitely fun to fiddle with—and even more fun to see how close they get it this year.

North Dakota is a northern tier state (surprise), which means autumn comes fast—and goes even faster. By September, the northernmost areas are already showing signs of change, with southern parts following soon after. By the final week of September, the whole state is usually ablaze with fall colors—though some spots shine brighter than others. You’ll want to move fast: by early October, most of the state is at or near peak colors, and by mid-month, the show is mostly over. Come the middle of October, some to all of North Dakota will be past its autumnal prime, and many of those brilliantly colored leaves will already be carpeting the ground.

So, what are some great places in North Dakota for viewing this annual wonder? Pembina Gorge is ridiculously beautiful year-round, but in the fall, it becomes truly spectacular—you’ll be blown away by its brilliance. Fort Ransom State Park is another must-see, as are most of our state parks. Lake Metigoshe is absurdly lovely at this time of year, and the rolling prairies of Theodore Roosevelt National Park make for a perfect day trip. These aren’t even all of the amazing spots to see fall colors in North Dakota, but they’re an excellent place to start.

When do leaves change color in North Dakota in 2025? I suppose we’ll see—but this guide might come in handy (it usually does). So, what do you think—will the Great Smoky Mountains website get it right this year? Let’s wait and find out!

What’s your favorite part of autumn in North Dakota? Got a go-to spot for the season? Share it through our nomination form, and let Only In Your State’s itinerary planner help you discover the top leaf-peeping destinations in ND.